Chapter 305

Xiang Wentian clenched his fingers tightly, desperate to punch Xie Wendong’s innocently looking face into pieces, but with everyone watching, his status and identity wouldn’t allow him to do so. After a long pause and several deep breaths, he barely managed to calm his agitation. Zhou Ting, standing behind him, didn’t understand what was going on, but it was rare to see Xiang Wentian so upset—he guessed something extraordinary must have happened, most likely related to Xie Wendong. Determined, he stepped forward abruptly, reaching into his coat to pull out a gun. As soon as he moved, Gao Qiang, standing behind Xie Wendong, wasn’t a fool either. He stepped beside Xie Wendong, swung his shoulder, and the hidden cleaver slipped into his palm. His fingers curled around the handle as he took a stance, ready to throw the cleaver at any moment. Xiang Wentian reacted quickly, grabbing Zhou Ting’s arm and shaking his head slightly before smiling upward and sitting down slowly. “I remember Brother Xie’s tactics,” he said.

Xie Wendong shrugged. “I have many more tactics. It will take some time for Brother Xiang to remember them all.” Their words held hidden meanings, leaving those around them confused, especially Bai Ziyi, who felt like a fool—unable to join in their conversation. The other senior figures also stopped drinking and focused their attention on Xie Wendong and Xiang Wentian. With their tense, confrontational demeanor, some were pleased while others were worried.

Bai Ziyi glanced from one to the other and forced a smile. “We’re all friends. We can sit down and talk things through calmly—no need for tactics or anything like that.”

Xie Wendong lit a cigarette and narrowed his eyes. “Brother Bai is right. I completely agree. As the saying goes, harmony is key. What do you think, Brother Xiang?”

If it weren’t for Xiang Wentian’s self-control, he might have lost his temper and started shouting. He nodded, shook slightly, and laughed. “Brother Xie makes a good point.” Both gave Bai Ziyi face, and he laughed heartily, perhaps thinking he was truly valued. Patting their shoulders with an air of experience, he sighed, “If you two could work together, you’d be invincible. But if you fight each other, both of you will suffer!”

“Oh?” Xie Wendong shifted his shoulders slightly, subtly shaking off the hand on his shoulder, and said leisurely, “I’ve heard the saying that one mountain can’t hold two tigers!”

Bai Ziyi’s face turned red as he forced a laugh and said, “One mountain may not accommodate two tigers, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t hold two dragons!” Xie Wendong glanced at his watch, stubbed out his cigarette, and stood up. “Xiang brother is truly a dragon, while I’m not even close to that!” He then changed the subject and said, “Bai brother, it’s getting late. I should take my leave.”

Seeing him about to leave, Bai Ziyi hurriedly said, “Younger brother Xie, why in such a hurry? You can stay and have a few drinks with me before going!” Xie Wendong shook his head and blinked, saying, “Let’s drink slowly and keep our friendship alive. Let’s do it another time if there’s a chance. Besides, I still have matters to attend to at home!” Since Xie Wendong was determined to leave, and Bai Ziyi wasn’t foolish enough to hold him back, he used the excuse to get away, saying with a smile, “Since younger brother Xie still has things to do, I won’t insist…” Before he could finish, Xiang Wentian also stood up, took his coat from Zhou Ting, and put it on. “Bai brother, it happens to be a good time for me to go with brother Xie.” “What? Xiang brother is leaving too?” Bai Ziyi seemed genuinely reluctant to part. Xiang Wentian smiled and said, “No gathering lasts forever. If Bai brother is willing, come to Hongwu Hall sometime and we can talk again.” The Hongwu Hall he mentioned was the headquarters of the Southern Hongmen in Shanghai, located in the north-central part of the city. Covering tens of thousands of square meters, it had 36 floors in total. To outsiders, it appeared to be just a luxurious hotel, but in reality, it was the core of the Southern Hongmen.

Bai Ziyi personally saw Xie Wendong and Xiang Wentian out the gate, exchanged a few polite words, before reluctantly returning inside. With no one else around, Xie Wendong and Xiang Wentian no longer needed to hide anything. Xiang Wentian looked up at the sky and murmured, “Do you know how much damage this of yours has caused me?”

Xie Wendong also wanted to know that answer. It wasn’t easy to drive Xiang Wentian out of control. He smiled and shook his head, staying silent. Xiang Wentian sighed and said, “You didn’t have to go this far.” Xie Wendong nodded. Xiang Wentian added, “Since things have already happened and can’t be undone, I must give an explanation to my own people and outsiders.” Xie Wendong nodded in understanding. “So, I will retaliate!” Xiang Wentian’s face showed no expression, as calm as still water. Xie Wendong nodded again to show he understood.

Xiang Wentian showed a faint smile and said slowly, “Tonight is the first day of the new moon.” Xie Wendong looked up, and indeed, a new moon hung like a hook in the sky. Xiang Wentian turned his head to face Xie Wendong directly and said, “I hope that at this time next month, you and I will still have the chance to watch the first moon together.” Xie Wendong understood what he meant, grinned, and finally spoke up, “I’m not someone who gives up easily!”
After saying that, Xie Wendong waved at Xiang Wentian, pulled his clothes together, and got into the car. Gao Qiang turned around and asked, “Brother Dong, are we going home?” Xie Wendong replied in a grave tone, “Yes! Let’s go, quickly!”
Seeing his serious expression, Gao Qiang didn’t dare say more. He started the car and drove away at full speed. They made no detours until they reached the Fresh Flowers Hotel. When they arrived at the hotel entrance, the scene around them shocked Xie Wendong—windows were shattered, the door was broken off, and scattered debris covered the ground. Faint traces of blood could be seen. He muttered under his breath, “Oh no,” thinking that his home had been attacked by the people from Nanhongmen. At that moment, Dong Xinlei came out of the hall, directing his subordinates to clean up the mess. Seeing him, Xie Wendong breathed a sigh of relief, got out of the car, and said with a smile, “Did a tornado hit here?”
As soon as Dong Xinlei saw Xie Wendong, his face darkened. He shook his head and said, “There was no tornado. It was the Zhongyi Gang that caused all this chaos.”
Xie Wendong frowned slightly, wondering why he was involved with the Zhongyi Gang again. He asked seriously, “Zhongyi Gang? Did they come to cause us trouble?”

“More than that!” Dong Xinlei pulled Jin Yan over and said, “Brother Dong, you should ask him!” Jin Yan glared at him irritably, cursing inwardly. After hesitating for a moment, he said, “It’s not just about causing trouble. This time, they brought no less than two hundred people—seems like they want to swallow us up in one go!” Although he didn’t want to mention it, he had to talk about Dong Xinlei and added, “If Old Lei hadn’t returned quickly, none of us would have been able to escape.” Xie Wendong rubbed his cheek and murmured, “Swallow us up? The Zhongyi Gang has quite big ambitions, but they probably don’t have the courage. After all, success or failure this time will bring our revenge. Last time, after beating them so badly, they didn’t dare act rashly. How could they this time…” “Oh…” Jin Yan pondered for a moment and said, “From what the leader of the Zhongyi Gang, Bo Zhanhui, said, it seems Brother Dong broke his son’s arm. I’m not exactly sure about the details.” Before Xie Wendong could speak, Jiang Lin came over somehow and continued Jin Yan’s sentence, “That’s just an accusation they tried to pin on him. How could Mr. Xie possibly know his son?” Jin Yan nodded and said, “I thought the same. It’s just that the reason Bo Zhanhui made up is too childish!”
Xie Wendong blinked and murmured, “Xiang Wentian is already enough of a hassle. Now with Bo Zhanhui added, it’s really a time of trouble.” After saying that, he casually asked, “What’s Bo Zhanhui’s son’s name?” Jin Yan rolled his eyes and thought for a long time before suddenly saying, “I think… I think it’s something like Bo Li!” “Bo Li? That name sounds familiar!” Xie Wendong seemed completely unfazed by the name. He yawned, checked his watch, and said, “Brother Zhang and the others will be back soon. Old Lei, have your men get ready.”
“What?” Dong Xinlei was stunned, not knowing what Brother Dong wanted him to prepare for. Xie Wendong pressed his forehead lightly and said, “Having Xiang Wentian as an enemy is already exciting enough. I can’t handle attacks from others too. So, those who need to be eliminated must be eliminated!” “Does Brother Dong mean we should act now?” Dong Xinlei asked hesitantly. Xie Wendong smiled and countered, “If you were Bo Zhanhui, would you think of retaliating against us right now?” Dong Xinlei shook his head and replied honestly, “I couldn’t even dream of it.”

“Hehe!” Xie Wendong chuckled and said, “Even you can’t think of it, let alone Bo Zhanhui!” Dong Xinlei and Jin Yan exchanged glances and smiled at each other. Jiang Lin was also happy, happier than anyone else. Xie Wendong glanced at her, took off his coat, and lay down on the sofa, looking somewhat listless. “I’m tired. Wait until Brother Zhang comes back to wake me up!” “Okay!” Dong Xinlei replied. Seeing Xie Wendong’s pale face, he was alarmed and quickly stepped forward to cover him with his coat.

Not long after Xie Wendong pretended to go to sleep, San Yan led a large group back in triumph. When they arrived at the hotel entrance, everyone was shocked. Li Shuang jumped out of the car and looked around for a while, then exclaimed in surprise, “Did I go to the wrong place?” San Yan kicked him in the back and snapped, “What nonsense are you talking about?!” He strode into the hotel lobby and spotted Dong Xinlei at once. Just as he opened his mouth to ask, Dong Xinlei quickly put his finger to his lips, pointed carefully at Xie Wendong on the sofa, and whispered, “Brother Dong is tired. It’s not easy for him to get a chance to sleep for a while. Let’s not disturb him.” “Oh!” San Yan nodded quickly, lowered his voice, and asked as he walked away with Dong Xinlei, “Old Lei, what happened at home?” “Sigh!” Dong Xinlei sighed. “Don’t even mention it. The Zhongyi Gang launched a surprise attack. The hotel was in chaos, and more than a dozen of our brothers were killed or injured!” “What?” Li Shuang raised his voice in shock and anger. “A surprise attack by the Zhongyi Gang? Do they not want to live?”

San Yan frowned and asked, “What does Brother Dong plan to do?” “He plans to take action now and wipe out the Zhongyi Gang. He’s just waiting for you to return!” Dong Xinlei sneered. “Hmph!” San Yan tightened his black leather gloves and said, “Then what are we waiting for? Since our brothers still have their weapons, I’ll go call Brother Dong.” Just as San Yan turned around, Dong Xinlei stopped him, saying, “Brother Dong has been tired all day, and he hasn’t had a moment’s rest lately. I’m worried his health won’t hold up! This time, maybe we should…” San Yan immediately understood what Dong Xinlei meant. After thinking for a while, he nodded and said, “Good idea! Let Brother Dong rest at home. I’ll take care of the Zhongyi Gang.”

Dong Xinlei smiled and said, “It shouldn’t be you, but us!” The two shook hands and laughed, then went their separate ways. San Yan organized his men and issued orders to attack the Zhongyi Gang, while Dong Xinlei selected some smart and capable men to stay behind to guard the home. After the scare from the Zhongyi Gang, they wouldn’t dare be careless anymore, especially with Xie Wendong around.

The Beihongmen were highly trained and disciplined, moving as one at a single command. The newcomers who had just returned with Sanyan and the others, still not fully settled in, immediately perked up upon hearing the order to attack. In less than five minutes, everyone was ready and prepared to go. Sanyan and Dongxinlei inspected everything, then both waved their hands and shouted, “Get in the car, let’s go!”

They didn’t take the Zhongyi Gang seriously at all; Sanyan and Dongxinlei thought eliminating it would be a trivial task, so they even skipped any motivational speeches to their subordinates. With them being so relaxed, the underlings were even more carefree, chatting and laughing as they headed toward the Zhongyi Gang’s headquarters. Sanyan, Dongxinlei, and even Xie Wendong believed that Bo Zhanhui would never expect them to retaliate so quickly after being attacked that very night. But they were wrong—Bo Zhanhui had anticipated it and was well-prepared.

Although Bo Zhanhui appeared rough-looking, he was actually meticulous and highly cunning. Since he dared to attack the Beihongmen, it proved he had adequate plans to deal with such situations.

The Zhongyi Gang’s headquarters wasn’t huge, but it was certainly not small either. It was located in a suburban area of Shanghai. The site was flat and sparsely populated, part of an industrial park.

With Liu Bo’s guidance, Sanyan and the others didn’t worry about the route at all. Liu Bo’s memory was like a detailed map—he remembered every building and feature accurately. With the help of Jiang Sen’s secret team, Sanyan could sit back comfortably, resting his arms on the seat, and smile at Dongxinlei beside him, saying, “Battle will start in a while. I’ll take care of Bo Zhanhui.” Dongxinlei laughed heartily and said half-jokingly, “Whoever catches him gets him!”

“Haha!” Sanyan replied, “I’m always fast at grabbing people!” Li Shuang, sitting in the passenger seat, nodded vigorously and said, “I can prove that!” He still remembered vividly how, years ago, Sanyan had lured many newcomers to the Wendong Club into the Longtang.

As they chatted and laughed, a sudden screech of brakes came from ahead. The car they were in stopped abruptly, causing the passengers inside to lurch forward. Li Shuang, in particular, pressed himself tightly against the front window, barely avoiding breaking it. “What’s going on?” Sanyan quickly steadied himself and stared ahead.